It sometimes feels that we create as many distractions in our lives as we can to stop us having to really think. How many times have you thought "it's too quiet I must put some music on"? Or you come home, put the TV on and then go off into another room. I think the background noise is just there to stop us really thinking.
Try some silence and see what your mind brings up. If it's something disturbing then don't just block it out again - explore it as much as you feel safe doing and then by familiarity it becomes less of a disturbance. Maybe after a time you will be comfortable with some long periods of silence and be able to sit with no thoughts.
Monday, 21 July 2008
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Be gentle
I've been practising with longer and longer single stage meditations recently.
After a untimed bodyscan, I'm using the third stage of a mindfulness of breathing and just allowing myself to 'feel' the physical sensation of each breath in a lightly, only just mentally 'touching the feel of the breath' sort of way. I'm not sure that explains the technique very well, but the important part is not trying too hard to fix oneself to the breath. It feels like a light touch.
This is working very well and I'm finding that I am settling into the meditation very much more quickly and feel that the meditation is very 'even' throughout. The more you struggle to focus on the breath the more you focus on the struggle, so drop the struggle and be very gentle with your guiding mind.
After a untimed bodyscan, I'm using the third stage of a mindfulness of breathing and just allowing myself to 'feel' the physical sensation of each breath in a lightly, only just mentally 'touching the feel of the breath' sort of way. I'm not sure that explains the technique very well, but the important part is not trying too hard to fix oneself to the breath. It feels like a light touch.
This is working very well and I'm finding that I am settling into the meditation very much more quickly and feel that the meditation is very 'even' throughout. The more you struggle to focus on the breath the more you focus on the struggle, so drop the struggle and be very gentle with your guiding mind.
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Going well
My meditation practice is going very well. I'm feeling calm when preparing my mat and cushion, lighting a candle on the shrine and choosing which incense to burn. Taking a few moments to prepare yourself is well worth it as it gives you some breathing space between the stuff of the day and your time within your meditation.
I'm taking every opportunity to read and listen to on-line lectures, both about Buddhism and meditation in particular. There is a lot of information available from all traditions if you look for it. I'll have to include a list on my website when I have a moment.
I'm taking every opportunity to read and listen to on-line lectures, both about Buddhism and meditation in particular. There is a lot of information available from all traditions if you look for it. I'll have to include a list on my website when I have a moment.
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